Adjusting arrangement for the sectiions of a knitting machine



March 5, 1963 H. SCHELLER 3,079,776

ADJUSTING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE SECTIONS OF A KNITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 14 T' i J i 60 L March 5, 1963 $079,776

ADJUSTING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE SECTIONS OF A KNITTING MACHINE H. SCHELLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1960 March 5, 1963 H. SCHELLER 3,079,776

ADJUSTING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE SECTIONS OF A KNITTING MACHINE 3 sheets sheet 3 Filed Aug. 24, 1960 m QM Q 5 5. E @w NT g gm N INVENTON'L @filhfid htates Patent 3,t37,776 ADJUSHNG ARRANGEMENT F03 THE SECTEUNS Oi A KNETTENG MACE-ENE Hans Scheiier, Faurndan, Kreis Goeppingen, erman' assigner to Gehr. Scheiler Tentihnaschinenfahrih Gerri-2.1%., Eislingen-Fils, Germany Fiicd Aug. 24, E66, Ser. No. 51,692 Claims priority, appiication Germany Aug. 29, 1959 14- flmrns. (til. 66-82) The present invention relates to an adjusting arrangement for the sections of a knitting machine, and more particularly to an improvement of flatbed knitting machines in which a plurality of corresponding fabric pieces is simultaneously knitted on several sections of the machine.

Knitting machines of this type have a plurality of needle bars, each having a set of needles cooperating with a presser edge, sinkers, and knock-over bits. The length of each needle bar is determined by the greatest width of the fabric to be knitted on the machine. Machines of this type require a composite motion of each needle bar, and in accordance with the conventional constructions, a single operating means including two driven cams is provided for the machine, the lifting motions of all needle bars being derived from one of the two cams, and the presser motion of all needle bars being derived from the other of these cams. Shafts extending through all sections of the machine transmit the lifting and pressure motions through levers to the respective needle bars.

It is very difficult to produce exactly uniform knitted work pieces on the several sections of the machine, although the needle bars and sinkers may be very exactly adjusted. This disadvantage is particularly noticeable when knitted dresses, pull-overs, andbathing suits are knitted by the machine. It has been proposed to tension the yarn in each machine section to a different extent, but this measure has not been found fully successful.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome this disadvantage of known multi-section knitting machines, and to provide a knitting machine capable of simultaneously producing exactly uniform fabric pieces in each of the sections thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a knitting machine of this type in which the shaft from which the presser motion is transmitted to the needle bars, is omitted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for independently controlling the presser motion of each needle bar in the several sections of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in each section of the machine, means for interrupting the operative connection between the respective presser cam and the needle bar, and to control the motion of each needle bar temporarily by regulating means.

A related object of the present invention is to provide manually adjustable means for independently adjusting the position of each needle bar relative to the regulating means.

With these objects in view, the present invention constitutes an improvement of a knitting machine having a plurality of sections. The knitting machine comprises a needle bar in each section of the machine; first lever means connected to the needle bars; a cam means operatively connected to a first lever means for lifting the needle bars; a plurality of second lever means respectively connected to said needle bars and being controlled by presser cams in each machine section for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; and a regulating means for adjusting the position of each second lever means ice so that completely uniform fabric sections are knitted on the machine sections.

The regulating means preferably include a regulating shaft extending through the machine sections, a regulating lever secured to the regulating shaft in each machine section, and adjustable means, such as an adjusting screw, for connecting each regulating lever with the respective second lever means in the respective machine section.

Since in the arrangement of the present invention, a presser cam is provided in each machine section, it is not necessary to provide a common shaft for connecting all levers by which the several needle bars are rocked in horizontal direction. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, all presser levers are turnably mounted on the needle bar shaft which fixedly carries the first lever means by which the needle bars are lifted.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

PlG. l is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a knitting machine according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a knitting machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the knitting machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the knitting machine according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

The drawings illustrate the machine in a simplified manner, with well known parts of conventional knitting machines omitted for the sake of clarity. In order to facilitate the understanding of the improvement of the present invention, the knitting machine of the prior art to which the improvement of the present invention is applied, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

The machine has a plurality of sections each of which includes a knitting head anda needle bar, so that a plurality of identical fabric pieces can be simultaneously knitted on the sections of the machine.

A needle bar 3 is provided in each section, and carries a set of spring-beard needles cooperating with a set of sinkers and distributors 32 which are movably mounted in the machine heads 13. Each needle bar 3 is moved in a composite movement including a lifting motion for the needles 11 and a horizontal presser motion during which the beards of the needles 11 are pressed against the presser edge 14 for closing the eye of each needle by forcing the beard into the needle groove. In this manner a closed eye is formed in which the new needle loop is suspended, and the closed eye is capable of passing through the old needle loop. When the new loop has partly passed through the old loop, the needle is moved away from the presser edge with a new loop under the beard and the old loop over the beard. After the sinkers and dividers 12 have been drawn back into the sinker head 13 by well known means, knock-over bits are moved upward, and the loops are slipped from the nibs of the sinkers and dividers upon the top edges of the knock-over bits. Further downward movement of the needle bar draws the newly formed needle loops through the old loops. The needles are then moved upwardly and the sinker-s and dividers are brought forward simultane ously to a position where the needles will pass through their throats.

The required composite movement of the needle bar is obtained in the following manner:

Each needle bar in each section of the machine, is

mounted on a lever 6 which is pivotally mounted on a lifting lever 2 by means of a pivot pin 6a. A needle bar shaft 1 passes through all sections of the machine and carries the lifting levers 2 of all needle bars 3. The position of each lifting lever is adjustable by means of a clamping screw 2a.

A cam follower lever member 15 is adjustably secured to needle bar shaft 1 by a clamping screw 15a, and carries a roller 16 cooperating with the endless cam track ofa rotary cam 17 which is secured to and driven by a shaft 18. In this manner, needle bar shaft 1 is rocked, and rocks all lifting levers 2 for lifting the several needle bars 3 of the machine sections. A spring 26 is attached to cam follower lever member 15, and urges roller 16 into engagement with cam 17. The cam track of cam 17 is'formed to produce the desired rhythm and sequence of the vertical motions of all needle bars 3, and includes a circular section concentric with the axis of shaft 18 during which the needle bars do not perform vertical movements.

The horizontal movements of the needle bars 3 with needles 11 is derived from rocker arms 7 which are pivotally connected to levers 6 by pivot pins 19, and have cut-outs 7a respectively engaging pins 21) on levers 4 and 104- which are adjustably clampedby clamping screws 4' to a common shaft 21 extending through all machine sections. One lever 4 is long and carries a cam follower roller 22 cooperating with a rotary presser cam mounted on and driven by shaft 18. The other levers 104 in the other sections of the machine are shorter since they do not serve as cam followers, and extend only to the respective rocker arm '7. However, all levers 4 and 104 are driven in the same rocking motion through shaft 21, and a relative adjustment between levers 4, 104 can be obtained by setting levers 4 on shaft 21 by operation of the clamping screws 4'. The presser cam includes a circular cam track portion concentric with the axis of rotation of shaft 18, and while cam follower lever 4, 22 cooperates with this circular cam track portion, the needle bars'will not perform a horizontal movement. A spring 23 isattached to cam follower lever 4, 22, and urges roller 22 into engagement with cam 5.

During the loop-forming Coulier motion of the sinkers and distributors 12 toward needles 11, needles 11 and the needle bars 3 perform a small horizontal movement during the action of the distributors. The horizontal distance between the needles 11 from the sinking throat 12a determines the length of the loops. Since the Coulier motion of the sinkers and distributors 12 is invariable, the horizontal distance between the sinking throats and the needles must be adjusted in a different manner for adjusting the length of the loops. In the knitting machine which is improved by the present invention, a regulating means is provided for this purpose and includes a regulating shaft 8 to which a regulating lever 9 is fixedly secured. The regulating lever 9 is aligned with the cam follower lever 4, 22 and cooperates with the same through an adjusting screw 25. Regualting shaft 8 is rocked by a regulating cam means whose cam track is designed in such a manner that regulating lever 9 is effective to move cam follower lever 4, 22 out of engagement with cam 5 while the circular cam track portion of cam 5 cooperates with roller 22.

As explained above, the needles do not move during the Coulier motion of the sinkers and distributors, and consequently, the rollers 16 and 22 cooperate with the circular cam track portions of cams 5 and 17 during the Coulier motion. The necessary small horizontal movement of the needle bars 3 with needles 11 during the Coulier motion for the purpose of adjusting the loop length, is effected by the regulating lever 9 which momentarily disconnects cam follower 4, 22 from cam 5. When the Coulier motion has been terminated, the regulating lever 9 is turned back by shaft 8, and roller 22 again engages the cam track of presser cam 5 which mainly controls the horizontal motions of the needle bars. Due

to the action of lever 9, the horizontal position of needles 11 can be adjusted during the Coulier motion, without any influence on the rhythm and sequence of the needle motions controlled by cams 5 and 17.

Since in the above described known knitting machine only one cam follower presser lever 4 is provided, while the other presser levers 184 are operated through shaft 21, an adjustment of screw 25 effects simultaneous adjustment of all needle bars. Consequently, this adjustment screw is used in known knitting machines only for the purpose of adjusting the machine when first used, but is not used for obtaining any adjustment during the normal operation of the machine.

It has been proposedto adjust the horizontal position of the needles 11 in each machine section by mounting pins 26 horizontally adjustable on the respective presser lever 4. However, this type of adjustment has the disadvantage that the position of the needles 11 is not only adjusted during the Coulier motion, but also during the loop forming motions so that the loop formation is detrimentally influenced. Furthermore, an improper adjustment of the needle bars out of the normal position may result in damage to the needles.

In accordance with the improvement of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each needle bar 3 in all machine sections is provided with a cam follower lever 4a, and with a presser cam So so that the presser motion of the needle bars is independently controlled in each machine section. A regulating lever 9a is provided for each machine section, the regulating levers 9a being all secured to the regulating shaft 8 spaced along the same. Each regulating lever 91: is disposed to be aligned with the cam follower lever 4a in the same machine section, and cooperates with the same through an adjustment screw 25a. A spring 23a is attached to each cam follower presser lever in, urging the same against the cam track of the corresponding presser cam 5a in the same machine section. All cams 5a are secured to shaft 18 spaced along the length of the same. Shaft 18 further carries a regulating cam 30 acting on a roller 32 on a cam follower lever 32 which is secured to shaft 3.

Shaft 8 is rocked by regulating cam means 39 so that all levers 4a are lifted off the respective circular cam track portion of re respective cam So when a horizontal move ment of the needles 11 is desired during the Coulier motion. However, the position of each lever 4a to the corresponding lever 9a can be independently adjusted by screw 2 5a so that the horizontal movement of needle bar for determining the length of the loops can be adjusted by turning of screw 25a in each machine section. Since all levers 4a are independently moved, they are no longer secured to a common shaft, as is the case in the known knitting machine. It would be possible to provide a shaft corresponding to shaft 21 of FIG. 1, and to mount all levers 4 a for turning movement on the same. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the needle bar shaft 1 is used for turnably supporting all levers 4a of the different machine sections, and levers 4a are mounted on the needle bar shaft for turning movement, but non-movable in axial direction. In this manner, the construction of the machine is substantially simplified, and space is made available for other devices.

By adjustment of each of the regulating screws 25a, the loop formation can be influenced in each of the sections of the machine so that the pieces knitted in each machine section have exactly the same length.

It Wiil be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of knitting machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an improved knitting machine in which the movement of the needles during the Coulier motion can be independently adjusted in each machine section,

it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. in a knittin machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; first lever means connected to said needle bars; a cam means operatively engaged with said first lever means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second lever means, each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower lever in each machine section; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine sections; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section aligned with the respective cam follower lever; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam follower levers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

2. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; shaft means extending through said sections of the machine; first lever means secured to said shaft means and connected to said needle bars; a cam means operatively engaged with said first lever means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second lever means, each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said n edle bars and including a cam follower lever in each machine section mounted on said shaft means for turning movement; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle oar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine sections; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section aligned with the respective cam follower lever; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam follower levers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

3. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; a sh extending through said sections of the .7. machine; first lever means connected to said needle bars; a cam means operatively engaged with said first lever means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second ever means, each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower lever in each section mounted on said shaft for turning movement and non-movable in axial direction; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating wit the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine sections; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section aligned with the respective c am follower lever; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam follower levers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

4. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; a shaft extending through said sections of the machine; first lever means connected to said needle bars; a cam means operatively engaged with said first lever means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second lever means each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower lever in each machine section mounted on said shaft for turning movement and nonmovable in axial direction; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine sections; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section aligned with the respective cam follower lever; and adjustable means including an adjusting screw mounted on each cam follower lever abutting the respective regulating lever for adjusting the position of the respective cam follower lever operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam follower evers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

5. A knitting machine as set forth in claim 4 and including spring means connected to each cam follower lever for urging the same against the corresponding presser cam.

6, A knitting machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein each said presser cam has a circular cam track section and rotates about the axis of said circular cam track section; and including cam means operatively connected to said regulating shaft for rocking the same and said regulating levers while said cam follower levers are over said circular cam track sections of said resser cams.

7. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the ma chine; a needle bar shaft extending through said sections of the machine; first lever means connected to said needle bars and fixedly secured to said needle bar shaft, said rrst lever means including a cam follower lever member in one machine section, and a plurality of shorter lever members in the other machine sections; a cam means operatively engaged with said cam follower lever member for lifting said needle bars through said cam follower lever member, said needle bar shaft and said shorter lever; a plurality of second lever means, each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower lever in each machine section mounted on said needle bar shaft for turning movement and non-movable in axial direction; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine sections; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section aligned with the respective cam foll wer lever; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam follower levers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

8. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; a needle bar shaft extending through said sections of the machine; first lever means connected to said needle aeravve bars and fixedly secured to said needle bar shaft, said first lever means including a cam follower lever member in one machine section, and a plurality of shorter lever members in the other machine sections; a cam means operatively engaged with said cam follower lever member for lifting said needle bars through said cam follower lever mem er, said needle bar shaft and said shorter lever; a plurality of second lever means, each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower lever in each machine section mounted on said needle bar shaft for turning movement and non-movable in axial direction; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion, each presser cam being rotatable about an axis and having a circular cam track section concentric with said axis; a regulating shaft extending through said machine sections; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section ali ned with the respective cam follower lever; means for rocking said regulating shaft when said cam follower levers are over with said circular cam track sections of said presser cams, respectively; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam follower levers so that completely uniform fabric sections are knitted on said machine sections.

9. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; first means engaged with said needle bars; a means operatively connected to said first means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second means, each second means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower in each machine section; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine section; a regulating member secured to said regulatin shaft in each machine section; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating member with the respective cam follower for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam followers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

10. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; first means engaged with said needle bars; a means operatively connected to said first means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second means, each second means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower in each machine section; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower for moving each needle bar in a pressure motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating shaft extending through said machine section; a regulating lever secured to said regulating shaft in each machine section aligned with the respective cam follower lever; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating lever with the respective cam follower for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam followers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

ll. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; first means engaged with said needle bars; a means operatively connected to said first means for lifting said a composite motion; a regulating member in each machine section; means connecting said regulating members for simultaneous movement; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating member with the respective cam follower for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam followers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

12. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; first means engaged with said needle bars; a means operatively connected to said first means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second means, each second means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower in each machine section; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower for moving each needle.

bar in a pressure motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating member in each machine section; means connecting said regulating members for simultaneous movement; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating member with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position of the other cam followers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections, said adjusting means including an adjusting screw mounted on each cam follower lever abutting the respective regulating member for ad'ustin the osition of the res ective cam followen. a t

13. In a knitting machine having a plurality of sections, in combination, a needle bar in each section of the machine; first lever means connected to said needle bars; a cam means operatively engaged with said first lever means for lifting said needle bars; a plurality of second lever means, each second lever means being operatively connected to one of said needle bars and including a cam follower lever in each machine section; a presser cam in each machine section cooperating with the respective cam follower lever for moving each needle bar in a presser motion so that each needle bar performs a composite motion; a regulating member in each machine section; means connecting said regulating members of said machine sections for turning movement together; and adjustable means operatively engaging each regulating member with the respective cam follower lever for adjusting the position of the latter independently of the position or" the other cam follower levers so that completely uniform fabric sections can be knitted on said machine sections.

14. A knitting machine as set forth in claim 13 and including a needle bar shaft extending through said sections of the machine; wherein said first lever means are fixedly secured to said needle bar shaft and include a cam follower lever member connected to the needle base in one machine section and operatively engaged with said cam means, and a plurality of other lever members connected to the needle bars in the other machine sections whereby said needle bars are lifted through said cam follower lever member, said needle bar shaft, and said other lever members.

Haines et a1. May 5, 1935 Strzalkowski May 13, 1941 

1. IN A KNITTING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS, IN COMBINATION, A NEEDLE BAR IN EACH SECTION OF THE MACHINE; FIRST LEVER MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID NEEDLE BARS; A CAM MEANS OPERATIVELY ENGAGED WITH SAID FIRST LEVER MEANS FOR LIFTING SAID NEEDLE BARS; A PLURALITY OF SECOND LEVER MEANS, EACH SECOND LEVER MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID NEEDLE BARS AND INCLUDING A CAM FOLLOWER LEVER IN EACH MACHINE SECTION; A PRESSER CAM IN EACH MACHINE SECTION COOPERATING WITH THE RESPECTIVE CAM FOLLOWER LEVER FOR MOVING EACH NEEDLE BAR IN A PRESSER MOTION SO THAT EACH NEEDLE BAR PERFORMS A COMPOSITE MOTION; A REGULATING SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID MACHINE SECTIONS; A REGULATING LEVER SECURED TO SAID REGULATING SHAFT IN EACH MACHINE SECTION ALIGNED WITH THE RESPECTIVE CAM FOLLOWER LEVER; AND ADJUSTABLE MEANS OPERATIVELY ENGAGING EACH REGULATING LEVER WITH THE RESPECTIVE CAM FOLLOWER LEVER FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITION OF THE LATTER INDEPENDENTLY OF THE POSITION OF THE OTHER CAM FOLLOWER LEVERS SO THAT COMPLETELY UNIFORM FABRIC SECTIONS CAN BE KNITTED ON SAID MACHINE SECTIONS. 